VZCZCXRO6816
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLU #0067/01 0241238
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 241238Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY LUANDA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3645
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LUANDA 000067 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS TO USAID STATE FOR AF AND AF/S; CA/OCS 
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA FOR KLUU, GGOTTLIEB, AFERRARA, AND 
CPRATT 
USAID FOR AFR/SA FOR IMCNAIRN, ELOKEN 
USAID FOR PRETORIA/OFDA FOR HHALE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL TBIO CASC EAID AO
SUBJECT: ANGOLA: FLOODING KILLS 46, POOR SANITATION 
THREATENS MILLIONS 
 
REF: LUANDA 055 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: At least 46 people are dead and 22 missing 
following heavy rains and flooding in Luanda Province on 
January 22, 2007.  Preliminary reports show severe flooding 
and damage in several municipalities, but no large-scale loss 
of life.  However, several bridges either collapsed or were 
washed away, isolating tens of thousands of people.  The 
threat of additional destruction remains as more rains are 
predicted, but the overriding concern is the danger of an 
outbreak of waterborne diseases, such as cholera.  President 
dos Santos expressed his appreciation for the prompt offer of 
possible USG aid and the GRA has indicated its need for items 
such as large military tents, mosquito nets, cots, medical 
supplies, cisterns, and plastic sheeting. Embassy officials 
are discussing possible responses with several USG agencies. 
End Summary 
 
Floods Threaten Lives In Short and Long Term 
--------------------------------------------- 
¶2. (U) Over 8 hours of heavy rain caused severe flooding and 
extensive damage throughout Luanda Province.  Early reports 
place the death toll at 46, with at least 22 people reported 
missing in the chaos that followed the water's rapid pre-dawn 
rise.  Hundreds of families were left homeless after more 
than 800 houses were flooded or destroyed when rainfall and 
mud quickly overpowered the antiquated sewage system of 
colonial-era pipes and trash-clogged drainage ditches.  Five 
bridges are reportedly destroyed or damaged, severely 
restricting access to the Nova Vida and Samba areas of Luanda 
and completely isolating the municipality of Cacuaco 
(approximately 40,000-50,000 inhabitants), northeast of 
Luanda.  Mudslides temporarily closed some roads.  Cacuaco, 
Sambizango, Samba, Viana and Cazenga are among the most 
affected municipalities.  Heavy rains have also destroyed 
some houses in the Provinces of Bengo and Huambo, but there 
has been no loss of life. 
 
¶3. (U) Additional rainfall is expected during the week, 
threatening houses on already waterlogged hillsides. 
Government and industry contacts have expressed serious 
concern over the serious health threat posed by trash and 
sewage-contaminated water, and many fear a rapid increase in 
the infection rate of cholera and other diarrheal diseases. 
Note: Over 200 cases of cholera were confirmed in Luanda from 
1 - 22 January 2007, with 12 deaths. End Note. 
 
GRA Requests USG Assistance 
--------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Minister of External Relations Joao Bernardo Miranda 
and Vice Minister Jorge Chicoty jointly met with Ambassador 
Efird on January 23, 2007, to express President dos Santos' 
appreciation for USG initiative in its prompt offer to 
consider requests for assistance.  Miranda called the 
situation "dramatic" and articulated the government's concern 
about sanitation and the spread of disease.  Miranda and 
Ambassador Efird agreed that it was most effective for the 
GRA to work to coordinate its aid requests to the 
international community to avoid duplication of efforts. 
Ambassador Efird requested a contact for the Embassy's 
"technical team;" Chicoty called confirming a meeting with 
the Governor of Luanda's strategic planning committee later 
that day. 
 
¶5. (SBU) An Embassy team later met with these Provincial 
Government authorities, including the Directors of Planning 
and Health, who believe that four million of the province's 
six million inhabitants are at risk for waterborne disease in 
this year's rainy season.  Embassy officials received the 
Provincial Government's very specific list of items needed, 
which includes large military tents, cots, plastic sheeting 
and food for temporary shelters, medical supplies, mosquito 
nets, and cisterns to combat the spread of disease, and heavy 
industrial equipment to clear wreckage and drainage ditches. 
Director of Planning Gabriel Leitao said that tents and food 
supplies are not available from the Angolan Armed Forces 
(FAA) or the Ministry of Interior, as their supplies have 
been used to support the recent influx of returnees from 
Zambia and the housing of ex-FLEC soldiers. 
 
GRA Responds to Crisis 
----------------------- 
 
LUANDA 00000067  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶6. (U) Bulldozers started clearing mudslides as soon as the 
rain eased, and news reports showed Government, Police, and 
Angolan military officials in affected regions assessing 
damage.  The FAA and Ministry of Public Works announced plans 
to erect temporary metal bridges to restore access to some 
areas.  Provincial Government authorities are working to 
evacuate residents in high-risk areas along water basins, and 
have asked citizens in these areas to voluntarily relocate. 
Plans were announced to open emergency aid shelters for flood 
victims in nine municipalities, and the Provincial Government 
is expanding the capacity of its nine municipal cholera 
treatment centers to 100 beds each.  The GRA has not issued 
an emergency declaration, but has convened an 
Inter-Ministerial Commission, which is chaired by Minister of 
Interior, Roberto Leal Ramos Monteiro &Ngongo,8 and 
includes representatives from the Ministries of Interior, 
Defense, Health, and Social Reinsertion, to oversee the 
national response.  This commission will present its 
assessment and plans to the Council of Ministers on January 
24th. 
 
Amcits Not Affected 
------------------- 
 
¶7. (U) The Embassy issued a warden message on January 23rd 
advising American Citizens to stockpile a two-week supply of 
food, potable water, etc. in case of the need to "shelter in 
place," as more rains are predicted.  No American citizens 
have contacted the Embassy for assistance at this time.  The 
RSO remains in contact with the Overseas Advisory Security 
Council, which has no reports of damage to US-affiliated 
businesses, schools, or NGOs.  The DAO remains in contact 
with FAA officials to explore possible areas of mil-mil 
cooperation in disaster response. 
 
¶8. (U) The Embassy is back at full operation following 
Monday's administrative leave day.  Seven residences report 
storm related damage, and the Embassy is taking advantage of 
a break in the rains to check generators, fuel and water. 
The EAC has been convened and continues to manage and monitor 
flood-related issues. 
 
¶9. (SBU) Comment: The underlying problems that have 
precipitated this crisis are not new and require not only 
immediate relief for victims but also long term planning and 
development to resolve.  Regardless, given the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's forecast of 
above-average rainfall for the Luanda area during the 2007 
rainy season, the current crisis could quickly escalate. 
Near-term USG assistance, such as in the provision of large 
tents and cots, would reduce suffering for displaced persons. 
 Longer term interventions should focus on assistance that 
would help to contain the potential explosion in cholera 
incidence rates.  Embassy Angola therefore will request 
specific immediate assistance from USAID and EUCOM following 
additional consultations with international NGOs and other 
members of the international community.  End Comment 
EFIRD